17 Nov 2020

Report reveals dire state of children's dentistry

From Morning Report, 6:43 am on 17 November 2020

A new report has revealed the dire state of children's dentistry in Auckland.

It shows thousands of children are on the waiting list for serious dental work - with many are waiting for eight months or more in pain.

The list is growing faster than the city's public dental service can clear it.

There are not enough resources to keep up.

The report also found many children will miss out on their routine appointments this year, with Covid-19 adding to the delays.

Dental association president Katie Ayers told Health Correspondent Rowan Quinn she knew there were problems but was surprised by the enormity.